The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay What would keep the starter not engage???

I have a 1954 3100 that just shut down without warning and will not restart. This the what is happening. I have headlights interior lights Dash lights but no turn signals and the starter will not work unless you run directly to the battery then the starter. I was running between 60 and 65 and everything just shut down with no warning.

That is screaming wiring harness problem. Or keyed ignition not getting power to run post.
Lights normally work without key. But signals not normally unless wired off of battery hot vs ignition run.
if your are running a relay for the starter and its not getting run hot (vs start key position hot) it would explain that.

Fuses etc.
I would just start with the volt meter working your way from battery down the run hot paths first and see when it stop producing power.
And look for any unhooked wires.

1st problem to fix is based on your statement "the starter will not work unless you run directly to the battery then the starter".
Please describe what does "will not work" mean.

Is this a "stomp starter" system or has it been upgraded to a solenoid starter?

Turn on the headlights and try to engage the starter. What happens to the headlights? Stay bright, get dim or go out altogether?

It is a solenoid starter. The lights work fine while cranking. But still no turn signals. I text JDL and he says, whatever went wrong is somewhere between the battery and the fuse box itself. maybe an inline fuse somewhere. he also says that there was fused marked ignition in the fuse box that did not have power. At the time I was not worried why when he got it started but getting it to his house and on to Mongos. He did not relay that information to me until I sent him a text. Not his fault. I have a difficult time seeing the fuse box up under the dash with my bifocals. For whatever reason that does not have power would explain the sudden loss of power, a blown fuse. With that bit of information maybe tomorrow when I drive it to the shop to pick up my car the mechanic can see up under there now that he knows what to look for. The key will run the radio both in full-on and auxiliary. Thanks all.

Ron lost power to his ignition coil. If whoever installed his fuse box is to be believed, he lost power to his coil circuit, heater, and evidently his turn signals... meaning i couldn't find power on either leg of the fuses in those locations. Nothing else seemed to be effected. Didn't know what else to do so I hot wired the coil to get it running for him. His starter worked fine just no power to his coil. Hope this helps.